Man who overcame disorder walks to raise awareness

A man from Cornwall’s refusal to be limited by his physical disability, working in tandem with March of Dimes Canada, is walking from Cornwall to Kitchener to raise awareness and support for those living with their own impairments.

Keith Bourne started experiencing involuntary movements — also known as tic disorder — almost four years ago, and found that medication wasn’t helping his condition, resulting in what he describes as a "sense of hopelessness."

At its worst, the tic disorder would cause him to lose all control over his hands and legs. Even at its lowest level of impedance, Bourne struggled to shake hands or pick up things.

Nonetheless, he refused to accept a homebound life, and after much reading and research, Bourne made lifestyle changes in an effort to better control his tics and improve his quality of life. The strategy included plenty of rest, reduced stress, and lots of drinking water — with the physical exertion he’s currently under, he drinks up to 40 bottles a day.

Bourne also cut caffeine out of his diet and began exercising regularly. These changes made all the difference for his condition, and the first thing he wanted to do with his regained independence was "help people going through the same thing."

After being unable and unwilling to go outside for years, Bourne was inspired to walk. He approached the SDG Developmental Services Centre in Cornwall, interested in undertaking an event to raise money and increase disability awareness at the same time.

Tic disorder is most commonly present in children — it is estimated that approximately 25 per cent of children experience tics — making Bourne a somewhat rare case. Much of his motivation for the walk lies in providing resources for affected children.

The worst thing to deal with, he said, was "the humiliation of people staring" when he went through a tic.

"You’re sitting there twitching, and you can’t control it," Bourne said, recalling his health decline. "I couldn’t shake someone’s hand or pick up things on my own. I can’t imagine how difficult these things would be for a child."

Bourne, having himself experienced post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, also hopes to help housebound people going through those same mental illnesses. Bourne persists in his message that "there is hope," and that in their darkest moments, people have to "see past it and take the blinders off."

Bourne’s route is along Highway 2, which is 540 kilometres from Cornwall to his final destination, and his final financial goal is $10,000.

He said that meeting so many people has been the most rewarding part of the experience.

"People have been very kind," he said. "A lot of places donated their time or their facilities. It’s just beautiful. People along the way have been very responsive."

The proceeds Bourne collects will be going towards March of Dimes Canada and the United Way, both charities that provide services to help people homebound by tic disorder or other physical disabilities in the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry counties.

"Funds really help us support these services," explained Tina Siegel, co-ordinator for March of Dimes, "so we try to make events that appeal to people."

March of Dimes will also be running Rock for Dimes on Aug. 27, at Loughborough Lake Holiday Park, where bands will engage in friendly competition to raise money for charity.

The goal this year is half of Bourne’s, at $5,000. Last year, the event raised $3,000. Local bands Project 29, the Bandicoots and Bon Evans will all be performing for the cause.

"Along with being helpful for the people who use our service. The events we run let people know these things are available for them. Keith especially is bringing attention to that," Siegel continued.

"The point of this is to get people aware of what’s going on," Bourne explained. "I was told there was no hope for me, that medication wouldn’t work. They won’t teach you what to do — someone has to educate people on what they can do."

What Bourne can do, it turns out, is walk 540 kilometres. He started out from Cornwall on July 31 and reached Kingston at midday Thursday, having set out from Gananoque at 5 a.m.

Bourne, at 48, has already walked nearly 200 kilometres, getting up at dawn to walk along the highway until he finds somewhere to stay for the night. He’s sunburnt, blistered, and the soles of his shoes are worn flat, but he said, smiling, that he’s still "got a long way to go."

To donate to Keith Bourne’s Journey of Hope, go online to the March of Dimes donation sight at marchofdimes.akaraisin.com/Donation.

The March of Dimes hosted event Rock of Dimes begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Loughborough Lake Park. Tickets are $20 and available either at the door or at rockfordimes.ca/Kingston.